Alistair Johnston’s Weekend Canada Milestone

Celtic right-back Alistair Johnston has enjoyed a splendid start to the season full of goals, assists, clean sheets, and, most importantly, victories.

The 26-year-old has been one of the Hoops’ best performers so far in the 2024/25 campaign, and reports of him being close to penning a new deal at Parkhead should enthuse supporters.

Overnight, Johnston transferred his club form onto the international scene as Canada defeated Suriname 1-0 away from home in the first leg of their CONCACAF Nations League quarter-final. Hibernian winger Junior Hoilett netted the Game’s only goal.

What was so special about the match for Johnston was it was his 50th Game for Canada. He will need to more than double that tally to become his country’s record appearance holder, but reaching half a century of caps for his nation has to be admired.

After the hard-fought 1-0 triumph, Johnston took to X, explaining how, despite the somewhat sub-par surroundings, last night’s match was a fitting way for him to reach his milestone.

He said: “Just feels right to earn my 50th cap in a match like that – a proper CONCACAF away day experience with the climate, Travel and field conditions.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Canada will take their 1-0 lead back to Toronto for the second leg, which will be played in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Johnston and Co. will be desperate to reach the semi-finals, where they could face Luis Palma’s Honduras, who won the first leg of their quarter-final against Mexico overnight thanks to a brace from the Celtic winger.